Replacement symbol selection in a method and apparatus for symbol play

ABSTRACT

In a symbol providing game or video poker game, the player makes a wager to play an underlying symbol providing game such as a slot-type game or a draw poker game. An additional or side bet may be required to utilize the discard gameplay option. A predetermined number of cards are dealt face-up to form an initial hand. The player may select to hold none, one, some or all of the dealt cards. The player then may choose none or at least one of the unheld cards (“discards”)—if any discards are available—to receive a narrowed selection of possible replacement cards. The narrowing of the number of possible replacement cards will most likely increase the odds of receiving a replacement card that will ultimately enhance the initial deal. The narrowed replacement card selection is based on predetermined criteria relative to the discard, a player selection, or a processor selected basis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a video game format or poker game format suitable for use in casinos, on the internet and in other gaming establishments as an electronic slot game or electronic poker game such as video poker. The invention relates to a video or mechanical reel format in which after an initial display of symbols to a player, fewer than all symbols (or all symbols) may be discarded and replacement symbols are provided with predefined parameters on the replacement symbols being provided or selected by the player. The invention further relates to video gaming play featuring an underlying draw game such as a symbol display game and especially a poker game which is enhanced by the allowance of unique game play options relative to the attributes of the discard.

2. Background of the Art

Games played on apparatus and with physical symbol components (such as tiles or cards) have been played for many years. The underlying play is generally to place a wager before receiving symbols in the hope that the specific symbols or combinations of symbols provide a pattern (usually of a relatively low probability) that an award is received on the wager. In a standard slot-type machine, for example, a wager is placed along at least one pay line (a path along which displayed symbols are read, sometimes in order and sometimes collectively). Symbols are provided along that pay line (symbols including blank areas or spaces in a typical slot machine). There is a predetermined pay table provided such that the presence of specific symbols in the pay line is given awards. For example, three lemons will pay nothing (0), a cherry in the first frame of a three-frame pay line pays 1 or 2 times the wager amount, a cherry in the second frame of a three-frame pay line pays 2 or 4 times the wager amount, a cherry in the third frame of a three-frame pay line pays 3 or 6 times the wager amount, three sevens or three special symbols pays a larger amount, etc. The amount of the payout and the probability of a payout occurring are designed by various processes known in the art to control the total statistical return to a player to less than 100% of the total amount wagered. The use of playing card symbols and particularly poker hand ranks in a symbol game is especially popular. Games based upon variations of poker have attained enormous popularity as casino-type entertainment games, particularly in the last twenty years. The success of poker games in the gaming industry is partially based on the game's simplicity (i.e., there is widespread public knowledge of the game rules) and the fact that players feel more directly involved in exercising judgment in the play of the game. Unlike typical slot machine games that are based solely on chance, video poker games allow the player to make simple, yet potentially important decisions which can affect the outcomes.

Many approaches to poker have been developed for casino table games and for video games. Draw poker games are especially popular, and represented on the casino floor in numerous variations. Basic draw poker provides the player with a deal of five cards, from which the player may choose to keep or hold none, any or up to all cards. Replacement cards are provided for the non-held cards, and the resultant hand is evaluated against a paytable. Awards are given for particular hands, from a return of the wager for a Pair of Jacks, for instance, to 800× the wager for a Royal Flush.

Many players have become bored with the basic draw poker game and have taken to versions that provide more challenging and entertaining play. Among the most popular methods that have been designed to enhance the gameplay are multiple play versions, whereby the player may play many hands at once; the addition of wild cards or extra Aces; random multipliers; etc.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,855,054 (White) describes methods of playing games of chance and gaming devices and systems comprising a display of a plurality of symbols where at least one symbol may be interchanged with another symbol of the plurality of symbols. After a combination of symbols is randomly generated and the results are displayed to a player, the player may have the opportunity to interchange at least one displayed symbol with another symbol in order to configure a more advantageous symbol arrangement. Interchanging may include transposing, sliding, or moving one or more symbols that are generated by way of a random process. Furthermore, interchanging may include a slide game or wraparound type movement of symbols or trading a symbol for another symbol provided by an exterior source. Additionally, the interchanging opportunity may be limited by way of constraints applied to movement of the symbols, time for interchanging, or other criteria, and may be conditioned on placing an additional or side bet.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,669,198 (Wichinsky) describes a new method of playing multiple-draw poker that provides players with the opportunity to progressively build poker hands by duplicating held cards from a latest completed hand into a new hand and also receiving a bonus hand in the form of a five-card poker hand, with no re-draws, that is by itself capable of receiving a predetermined bonus amount based on the poker hand value of the bonus hand.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,641,477 and 5,704,835 (Dietz) describe an electronic slot machine and method of use which allows a player to completely replace up to all of the initial symbols displayed after the first draw in order to create, improve or even lose a winning combination. In its preferred form, the electronic slot machine of the present invention features a video monitor with a plurality of separate symbol display boxes arrayed in rows and columns. When the machine is activated, one or more random numbers are generated in the slot machine's microprocessor to determine which symbols are to be displayed in each of the symbol display boxes. If a suitable winning combination is not formed with the initial symbols, the player is given opportunities to select up to all of the symbol display boxes for replacement.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,604,998 (Singer) describes a video poker game system and method that includes dealing a card to a player for placement into one position of a hand having a predetermined number of positions. The player then arranges the dealt card in one position of the hand with an object of obtaining a hand having cards placed in a predetermined order. These steps are repeated until all of the predetermined number of positions in the player's hand are filled with dealt cards. A first payout is awarded to the player if the dealt cards of the hand are arranged in the predetermined order. In addition, a second payout is awarded to the player if the dealt cards of the hand constitute a payable hand as determined according to a winning hand payout schedule.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,595,520 (Richards) describes a card game that begins with designating at least one playing card to be a substitute card and defining a substitution pattern for the substitute cards: The first player is dealt a first player hand of cards. The player plays the first player hand to completion and receives at least one additional player hand of cards. For each additional hand, the substitute cards are copied into other player hands to replace a card in that hand, according to the substitution pattern, only if the substitution results in a higher poker ranking for the hand. Players are rewarded based on the final poker ranking of each player hand after substitution, if any.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,585,267 (Webb) describes a game that enables players to wager on a particular card or hand being dealt into a first position or a second position. Wagers matching the first card or hand in the first position and wagers matching the second card or hand in the second position are paid. Wagers for matching ranks in the incorrect position are taken. If that particular card or hand does not appear, the wager stays in play for a next round. When the first card or hand is equivalent to the second card or hand, matching wagers win, and unmatching wagers are resolved according to characteristics of the first card or hand and the second card or hand, such as card suit, card color, whether the cards are odd or even or high or low, using a hand rank such as according to poker combinations, by a numerical computation of the hand with reference to prescribed rankings of high/low or odd/even or the like.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,569,014 (Walker) and 6,332,839 (Walker) each disclose a method for playing draw poker wherein an initial hand is dealt, the player selecting to hold certain cards and discard others, if any, replacing the discards with replacement cards, and determining a payout on the resultant hand based on a ranking of the final hand and the number of cards drawn.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,517,074 (Moody); 6,135,883 (Hachquet); 6,098,985 (Moody); 6,050,568 (Hachquet); 6,007,066 (Moody); and 5,823,873 (Moody) each disclose a method for playing multiple hands of draw poker wherein an initial hand of cards is dealt, the player selecting none, one or more of the cards to be held, replacing the discards with replacement cards, and evaluating the resultant hand or hands for winning combinations.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,068,552 (Walker) describes a gaming device such as a video based slot machine that provides a player the ability to modify at least one parameter of the slot machine. The slot machine then modifies other parameters to ensure a desired house advantage. Odds, payout schedules and wager amounts may be customized by a player, and the slot machine automatically determines changes in other parameters which were not customized to maintain a constant house advantage. Software running on the slot machine uses an equation that takes into account pertinent parameters or variables such as size of jackpot, amount wagered taken in at each pull, and probability of hitting the jackpot at each pull. Based on the equation, the software adjusts parameters other than the one(s) specified by the player so that the outcome (the house advantage) remains constant with each pull. A player interface provides an easy to use method of modifying selected parameters.

United States Patent Application Number 20050173863 (Walker) describes a game in which two sets of cards are dealt. In one embodiment, an indication of a first set of cards may be output by a first display device and an indication of a second set of cards may be output by a second display device. The player selects one or more cards from the second set of cards that are to be discarded, and the player is dealt a replacement card for each such discarded card. Each card in the first set which matches a replacement card is removed. The value of each hand of the modified first set of cards is then determined. A credit balance is adjusted based on the determined values of the modified first set of cards.

United States Patent Application Number 20050151319 (Berman) describes an apparatus and method for enhancing participation in gaming activities that involve replacement items, replacement cards, or other draw-type activity. A player is allowed to hold cards (or other items) of a starting hand/payline. Multiple sets of potential replacement cards are provided, from which the player can select the desired set of replacement cards. The selected set of replacement cards is used to complete the player's hand. Multiple hands may be played concurrently.

United States Patent Application Number 20050113161 (Walker) describes a game involving a first random outcome and a second random outcome that are combined according to game rules to produce a game outcome. The game is administered by receiving a player request for a specific entry, the specific entry replacing one of the random outcomes and being selected from a finite set of possibilities not determined by chance. The requested specific entry affects the probable outcome of the game. The specific entry is combined with the remaining one of the random outcomes according to the game rules to determine the game outcome. According to one embodiment, the specific entry may be a score such as 18 which replaces the player's hand in the game of blackjack.

United States Patent Application Number 20050059448 (Sims) describes a method and apparatus for playing a card game in which a player places a wager and is dealt two playing cards. The player then selects one of two or more possible ranges, based upon the first and second cards dealt, wherein a third card may fall. After the player selects a range, a third card is dealt to the player and the player wins if the third card falls in the range selected. The players win may be based upon the amount wagered and the number of playing cards in the range selected.

United States Patent Application Number 20040242312 (Gomez) describes a method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming machine. The wagering game may, for example, be a video reel slot game that includes a plurality of symbols displayed in an array. The plurality of symbols are evaluated to determine a change to one of the symbols that will yield one of a plurality of predefined winning combinations of symbols. The one of the symbols is changed to another of the symbols to form the winning combination, and an award is awarded for the winning combination.

United States Patent Application Number 20040229672 (Aoki) describes a method of conducting a video poker game in which a plurality of face-up cards are dealt from a deck into a card hand. If any of the face-up cards is a predefined special card, the game proceeds with a special feature that allows the player to draw a replacement card to replace the special card. The replacement card may be drawn from a plurality of possible face-up or face-down cards. The game may include a standard draw option that allows a player to select and replace none or more of the face-up cards. The special card may trigger the special feature at any time, whether it appears before or after the draw. The game determines a poker hand ranking of the final card hand and provides an award based on that ranking.

United States Patent Application Number 20040127280 (Moody) describes a slot machine with a plurality of slot symbols which results in a display matrix having a plurality of reel stop locations. A player makes a wager for each pay line on the slot machine that the player wishes to be active. Prior to the reels being spun, the player selects at least one of the reel stop locations that will be respun after the initial spin of the reels. The slot reels are spun and the player receives an award for any winning symbol combinations that appear on active pay lines. Then the reel stop locations selected by the player are respun and the pay lines are reanalyzed to determine if winning combinations have been achieved as a result of the switching of the two reel stop locations. The player receives an award for any winning symbol combinations that appear on active pay lines.

United States Patent Application Number 20040116170 (Walker) describes a method including steps of populating a primary set of card positions with a first set of initial cards, determining at least one discarded card from the first set of initial cards, replacing the at least one discarded card from the first set of initial cards with replacement cards to form a final set of cards, and determining whether to include the at least one discarded card in at least one secondary set of card positions. If the at least one discarded card is to be included in the at least one secondary set of card positions, the method further provides for populating the at least one secondary set of card positions with the at least one discarded card. Some embodiments of the present invention also provide for determining a payout based on at least the final set of cards.

United States Patent Application Number 20040072603 (Shuster) describes a gaming apparatus, such as a slot machine, that randomly determines a combination of symbols and pays prizes according to a determined payout table, and is used to perform a gaming method similar to conventional slot machine play, but permits greater interaction with the player. The gaming method provides the player with the option of increasing an amount wagered after at least one of the symbols has been determined. The method additionally provides the player with the option to randomly determine a symbol or symbols a second time, or to force a symbol to be the same as a symbol already determined, optionally at additional cost. The method includes making appropriate adjustments to a payout table, depending on the player's actions during game play.

United States Patent Application Number 20030153376 (Duhamel) describes a card choice system that offers to gamers two parallel hands of cards to choose from to compose a Poker hand. Gamers choose cards from the two sets displayed one above and one below, and move cards into the Poker hand while respecting the same position for the card. When the gamer has chosen all the cards they want to be part of the Poker hand, the cards still available from the original sets are discarded and removed from the display. Next, new cards are dealt from the same card deck that dealt the original sets of cards to complete the Poker hand. The hand yielded is the final outcome of the Poker game and is further evaluated with a prize being awarded to the gamer if the final poker hand corresponds to a winning criterion.

United States Patent Application Number 20040214624 (Moody) describes a game in which the player makes a wager for a first hand and a wager for a second hand and the player then has displayed to him a first hand. The player selects which cards to hold and the unheld cards are discarded from the first hand and placed as the starting cards in the second hand. Replacement cards are displayed into the first hand to create a final first hand. Additional cards are displayed into the second hand to create a final second hand. The poker hand ranking of each hand is determined and the player receives a payout for any winning hand combination that is achieved in the final first hand and in the final second hand. The amount of the payout is based on a pay table and the amount wagered by the player.

It is an ever-increasing challenge to provide players with new and enticing game play features that will stimulate player interest and increase time on the machine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a symbol providing game, once the symbols have been provided, a player will often find that it is possible that the replacement of one or more of a multiple number of symbols might provide the player with a high payout hand. For example, in a reel slot play, the player may have two jackpot symbols and a lemon. If the lemon were treated as a discard (as in poker) and a replacement drawn randomly, this might provide a maximum jackpot result. The present technology provides not only a method of enabling the player to replace the unwanted symbol(s), but to provide the replacement symbol in a way that gives the player the perception if not reality of an enhanced chance of a replacement symbol being a desirable symbol than would occur with a normal random selection for the replacement symbol. Although the selection according to the described technology is still random, the mapping (real or virtual) of replacement symbols is provided in the replacement selection of symbols in a way that the probability of a favorable symbol is enhanced by either adding more favorable symbols to the pool of symbols from which a replacement symbol is selected or the removal of adverse symbols from the pool of available replacement symbols.

In a video poker game, the player makes a wager to play an underlying draw poker game. An additional or side bet may be required to utilize a discard game play option. A predetermined number of cards are dealt face-up to form an initial hand from an original set of cards (e.g., a deck, a deck with additional cards therein such as jokers or specialty cards, multiples decks, or multiple decks with additional cards). The player may select to hold none, one, some or all of the dealt cards. The player then may choose (among positions or voids in the original hand formed by the removal of the discard) that none or at least one of the “unheld” cards (usually referred to in the art as discards)—if any discard voids in the hand are available—to receive a narrowed selection from amongst the remaining cards in the deck or original set of cards as possible replacement cards. The narrowed replacement card selection may be or is based on predetermined or preselected (e.g., by rules, the house, the processor or the player) criteria relative to the discard. For example, the narrowed number of possible replacement cards for the discard may be achieved by selecting (using touch pad technology, touch screen technology, physical machine buttons, random processor selection or the like) a defined criteria for replacement such as, by way of non-limiting examples, the same-or-higher rank than the discard, the same-or-lower rank, the same suit color as the discard, the same suit as the discard, a different suit from that of the discard or the opposite color of the discard. Other criteria may include odd ranks, even ranks, suits, face cards, non-face cards, even numbered cards, odd numbered cards or a certain predetermined range of cards (e.g., a card between 9 and Queen). This method may be used with various poker game variations such as Jacks or Better, Bonus Poker Games, or Wild Card Games and may be played in a single-line or multiplay game format.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a the monitor screen of a video poker machine with touch-screen selection buttons and the initial play of the game comprising the deal of a 5-card hand.

FIG. 2 shows the same game at a later stage.

FIG. 3 shows the same game at a final stage.

FIG. 4 shows a the monitor screen of a video poker machine with touch-screen selection buttons and the initial play of a second game comprising the deal of a 5-card hand.

FIG. 5 shows the second game at a later stage.

FIG. 6 shows the second game at a final stage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The games according to the present disclosure may be provided as a live or hybrid casino table game or as a video gaming system. By hybrid systems is meant those systems known in the art where there may be a fully automated gaming table, such as the Shuffle Master, Inc. Multi-Player Platform™ system or a system with a dealer and automated bet recognitions and card reading and/or display. The wager may be provided in a casino table card game with chips, tokens, money, credit or credit charge. The wager in a video game is usually made with credits or credit charges.

The practice of the present technology may include a method of playing a wagering game in which symbols are provided to a player. The game may comprise a player making at least a first wager on a gaming apparatus. A set of displayed symbols is provided from a complete set of symbols to a player along at least one line of play. The player is provided with an opportunity to accept all symbols in the at least one line or replace at least one symbol on the line. When the player replaces the at least one symbol, the at least one symbol is removed from the line and one replacement symbol is randomly selected from a replacement set of symbols as a replacement symbol. The replacement symbol is randomly selected as a replacement symbol and is selected from a replacement set of symbols that consists of a number of symbols less than the complete set of symbols. For example, if a physical reel is used to provide the replacement symbol, the replacement set will consist of less than all symbols originally available on the first spin of the reel. Certain criteria may be used for defining the symbols available. Either in absolute terms (e.g., no blank spaces) or in relative terms (e.g., a symbol other than that presently on the play line on that reel). The game may have a fixed criteria (e.g., a symbol other than that presently on the play line on that reel) or may have a number of different criteria that may be selected by the player or by a processor or be randomly occurring by operation of the apparatus or processor.

The replacement set of symbols may consist of a number of symbols that is less than the complete set of symbols less the displayed set of symbols. For example (as also explained above), the original set of replacement symbols may comprises a defined number of various symbols and a specific number of each of the various symbols, and specific classes of symbols may be excluded in the second provision of symbols as replacement symbols. The player may select criteria by which the replacement set is reduced in number to less than the complete set of symbols. The method may be practiced on a slot machine having at least three rows of symbols provided as a mechanical reel-type slot machine or a video machine.

A method of playing a video poker game may be played in which playing card symbols are provided from a complete set of playing cards comprising a complete number of cards in at least one line of play. The method may comprise a player placing a wager on the video poker game; displaying a first displayed set of playing card symbols comprising a displayed number of playing cards to the player along at least one line of play; the player selecting at least one symbol from the displayed set of playing card symbols to be discarded; and a criteria for providing replacement playing card symbols being in effect which defines limiting criteria for selection of playing cards so that playing cards available for use as replacement cards are selected from a replacement set comprising a number of cards that is less than the complete number of cards less the displayed number of cards.

Again, the player may select the criteria for replacing cards or a processor may select the criteria for replacing cards. The criteria may, by way of non-limiting examples, comprise at least one criterium selected from the group consisting of the at least one replacement card being:

-   -   a) a different color than the discarded card;     -   b) a different suit than the discarded card;     -   c) a different rank than the discarded card;     -   d) a rank within a defined range of ranks;     -   e) a rank above a predetermined rank;     -   f) a rank below a predetermined rank; and     -   g) a rank other than one or more specific ranks.

A player places a wager to participate in the play of the underlying card game.

The wager may be selected by the player to include wagering on a single hand of play or wagering on each hand in concurrent multiple hands of play. That is, the player may wish to play one hand at a time or play two or more hands (e.g., up to 100 hands). An additional or side bet may be required to play the discard game play option. After placing the wager or wagers, a predetermined number of cards are dealt into an initial hand. Exemplary game play reveals a preferred method of utilizing a single standard deck of cards (or a standard deck of cards that is augmented by wild cards or jokers) and an initial deal of 5 face-up cards. After viewing the cards in the initial deal, the player may choose to hold none, one, some or all of the cards. Any unheld cards are “discards”, and will be replaced by “replacement cards” in the draw stage of the game. The set of replacement cards is comprised of the full deck minus the initially dealt cards (in the preferred method 52 cards minus 5 cards, or 47 possible replacement cards). As an alternate gameplay, the discards may or may not be added to the number of possible replacement cards.

The player then may choose none or at least one of the discards—if any discards are available—to receive a narrowed selection of possible replacement cards. The narrowing of the number of possible replacement cards will most likely increase the odds of receiving a replacement card that will ultimately enhance the initial deal. The narrowed replacement card selection is based on predetermined criteria relative to the discard. For example, the narrowed number of possible replacement cards for the discard may be achieved by selecting (using touch pad technology, touch screen technology, physical machine buttons, or the like) the same-or-higher rank than the discard, the same-or-lower rank, the same suit color as the discard, or the opposite color. Other criteria may include odd ranks, even ranks, suits or a certain predetermined range of cards. The preferred method allows the choice of any one discard, and one choice of four parameters for replacement cards relative to said discard: the same rank or higher than the discard; the same rank or lower than the discard; the same color as the suit of the discard; or the opposite color of the suit of the discard.

In a video poker game, the player makes a wager to play an underlying draw poker game. An additional or side bet may be required to utilize a discard game play option. A predetermined number of cards are dealt face-up to form an initial hand from an original set of cards (e.g., a deck, a deck with additional cards therein such as jokers or specialty cards, multiples decks, or multiple decks with additional cards). The player may select to hold none, one, some or all of the dealt cards. The player then may choose (among positions or voids in the original hand formed by the removal of the discard) that none or at least one of the “unheld” cards (usually referred to in the art as discards)—if any discard voids in the hand are available—to receive a narrowed selection from amongst the remaining cards in the deck or original set of cards as possible replacement cards. The narrowed replacement card selection may be or is based on predetermined or preselected (e.g., by rules, the house, the processor or the player) criteria relative to the discard. For example, the narrowed number of possible replacement cards for the discard may be achieved by selecting (using touch pad technology, touch screen technology, physical machine buttons, random processor selection or the like) a defined criteria for replacement such as, by way of non-limiting examples, the same-or-higher rank than the discard, the same-or-lower rank, the same suit color as the discard, the same suit as the discard, a different suit from that of the discard or the opposite color of the discard. Other criteria may include odd ranks, even ranks, suits, face cards, non-face cards, even numbered cards, odd numbered cards or a certain predetermined range of cards (e.g., a card between 9 and Queen). This method may be used with various poker game variations such as Jacks or Better, Bonus Poker Games, Texas Hold'Em poker, High rank poker games, Low rank poker games, Three-Card Poker® games (registered trademark of Shuffle Master, Inc.), Caribbean Stud Poker® game (registered trademark of Mikohn Gaming, Inc.) or Wild Card Games and may be played in a single-line or multiplay game format.

Optimum play strategy teaches that the choice of a particular discard is dependent on the held cards. For example, in an initial deal of Ace, Ace, King, 4, 8 (the suits being irrelevant), the player would most likely choose the two Aces to hold, and the King as the chosen discard. By choosing the option to play the King as “SAME OR HIGHER”, the number of replacement cards for said specific discard is reduced from 47 to 5 (the other two Aces plus the other 3 Kings). The player locks in the “Hold” choices and the discard option choice, and presses “Draw”. The chosen discard is then replaced first, from the subset of suitable replacement cards, following the chosen parameter. The rest of the discards, in this case two discards, are then replaced from the set of remaining 46 replacement cards. Continuing the example, the final hand for evaluation against a predetermined paytable is Ace, Ace, Ace, 2, 7; with the chosen discard (King) being replaced advantageously by the third Ace.

The option of a different suit than that of the discard would be to a player's advantage where the player retains four cards in a single suit and would (by exercise of that option) increase the probability of the drawn card matching the original suit. Upon use of the discard and drawn card parameter definition/exclusion option, the original paytable may remain the same (especially if the paytable were constructed with the probability of hands built into the option play effect) or may change upon exercise of the option. For example, the payout for a flush may change from 5:1 in a first 5-card hand to 2:1 in a 5-card hand with the option exercised on a single card.

Alternate methods may be used to deal the replacement cards. For instance, the Random Number Generator may provide a shuffle of the (47) cards, and go through the cards one at a time, (from 1 to 47), until the first card within the chosen parameter is drawn and the remaining discards would be the next cards in order. Or, as a separate example, the chosen discard may be the last to be replaced. In any event, any method of replacement technology within the scope of the invention may be utilized. The random number generator may also be instructed to exclude cards from outside the defined parameters and then randomly select from within the new (remaining) group. For example, If the original hand were four hearts and a club (leaving 9 hearts, 12 clubs, 13 spades and 13 diamonds in the remaining virtual deck), and option of “a card suit different from the discard” would leave a virtual partial deck for selection of 35 cards (leaving 9 hearts, 13 spades and 13 diamonds in the remaining virtual deck). If the “opposite color of the discard were selected, this leave a virtual partial deck for selection of 22 cards (leaving 9 hearts and 13 diamonds in the remaining virtual deck).

As a separate illustration of the invention, an initial hand of 2 of Spades, 3 of Spades, 6 of Spades, 9 of Spades and 7 of Diamonds is dealt. The player chooses to hold the four Spades, and plays the only discard (the 7 of Diamonds) as “OPPOSITE COLOR”, meaning that the subset of suitable replacement cards will be black (as opposed to the red Diamond). In this case, the replacement card will be either a Club or a Spade, reducing the set of replacement cards from 47 cards to 22 cards (13 Clubs plus the 9 remaining Spades). The draw of a Spade would create a Flush hand that would be paid according to a predetermined paytable. The draw of a Club would be a losing final hand. discards. The player chooses to hold the two 2s, and plays the Ace of Diamonds discard as “SAME COLOR”, meaning that the subset of suitable replacement cards will be red; the 3 of Spades discard as “SAME or LOWER”, meaning that the subset of suitable replacement cards would be 3s or lower; and the 5 of Diamonds discard as “SAME or LOWER”, meaning that the subset of suitable replacement cards would be 5s or lower. The final hand becomes 2 of Spades, 2 of Clubs, 4 of Hearts, 2 of Diamonds and 4 of Clubs, for a Full House payout according to a predetermined paytable.

It was previously stated that although the selection according to the described technology is still random, the mapping (real or virtual) of replacement symbols is provided in the replacement selection of symbols in a way that the probability of a favorable symbol is enhanced by either adding more favorable symbols to the pool of symbols from which a replacement symbol is selected or the removal of adverse symbols from the pool of available replacement symbols. This should be further explained.

In a mechanical reel (e.g., a reel with, for example 40 frames of one symbol in each frame (e.g., including possibly a blank or empty space as a symbol) is provided. The reel is spun, the reel is stopped at a random space so that one of the 40 symbols is displayed in the pay line, and the total set of symbols from the 3 or more frames forming a payline is read. Although the selection is “random,” the probability of a particular symbol occurring is not necessarily equal to the probability of every other symbol appearing. For example, of the 40 symbols on a single reel, 20 may be blank spaces, 5 may be lemons, 5 may be oranges, 3 may be bells, 2 may be cherries, 2 may be plums, 2 may be 7's, and 1 may be a wild symbol or special bonus symbol. In addition, the probability of any one of the symbols being selected may be mechanically adjusted to affect the probability. In a mechanical slot, a cog or tooth may be sized to engage the selection function more easily (a larger slot) or with greater difficulty or lower probability (a smaller slot) than other slots associated with particular symbols. In an electronic system, the program may associate a greater probability or lesser probability to a symbol than a mere statistical reflection of equal probability for each symbol. This process is referred to as mapping within the gaming industry. Where the actual natural probabilities of symbol selection do not provide the exact statistical results desired in a game, mapping may be applied to control the payout rate. It is in this manner that different machines playing the same apparent game may have different payout rates.

In the present game, for the selection of a replacement symbol, the probability of a desirable symbol being selected or being available may be enhanced (in addition to or aside from mapping) by changing the pool of symbols available for selection in the replacement ‘spin’ or replacement random selection. A few examples of how this can be done would be elucidating.

In a standard slot-type symbol format, such as the prophetic example of 40 frames with forty possible symbol positions on a reel, consider the situation where the jackpot is provided with three jackpot symbols and the first spin shows two jackpot symbols and a cherry. Although the cherry (often in any of the three positions) is a winner, the player sees an opportunity to win a jackpot if only one of the frames is replaced with a jackpot symbol. Either if the player has placed an optional wager to allow replacement of symbols (e.g., of at least one, only one or all of the symbols with a replacement step as described herein), the game automatically allows for such replacements, or if a payment is made after the player has seen the first display of symbols, a replacement step is then available to the player. The player may indicate which of the one(s) of the symbols is to be replaced, and the symbol providing action of the apparatus (in this case a reel or virtual reel or frame spinner) is activated. Rather than the reel being spun with the same (e.g., mapped) or even equal probability of the available frames, a pool is defined with an identified basis or criteria for indicating or providing an enhanced probability for the occurrence of a beneficial symbol. For an easiest example, the replacement providing step may have such criteria available (that are implemented by game intelligence or mechanical operation, such as providing gearing that excludes specific symbols, such as a gear where there are no slots available for displaying a blank position on the reel) that enhances the probability of a favorable symbol being displayed. The simplest such enhancement would be that the replacement ‘spin’ would exclude the possibility of a blank space being shown when blank spaces do not contribute to winning events. Other enhancing criteria could be all symbols allowed (including blank spaces) except for lemons, or except for lemons and cherries, or any other combination.

Those skilled in the art are aware that the payouts for the play of this type of game and this type of format are likely to be adjusted to meet the changed probabilities for good hands occurring. For example, if a jackpot were 1000× on a single spin game, the payout might be only 500× where there is an option replacement in the game. The payout might remain at 1000× if no option is taken or the payout may be lowered for only jackpot or bonus payouts when the option is used. Mapping may also be provided in the original spin or the replacement spin to control the level of payout.

Reference to the Figures will assist in further understanding of the practice of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a slot machine monitor screen 2 with five HOLD buttons for card play selection (10B, 12B, 14B, 16B, 18B), five sets of discard selection buttons (10C, 12C, 14C, 16C, 18C), each of said five sets comprising a SAME OR HIGHER button 20, a SAME OR LOWER button 22, a SAME COLOR button 24 and an OPPOSITE COLOR button 26. Also shown is the initial deal of five face-up cards (10A, 12A, 14A, 16A, 18A). The player's selection to hold the two aces (10A, 16A) is depicted by the two highlighted HOLD buttons (10B, 16B).

FIG. 2 refers to the game elements shown in FIG. 1 with the player selecting to play the King of Clubs discard 12A as SAME OR HIGHER, depicted by the highlighted button 20A.

FIG. 3 refers to the game elements shown in FIG. 2 with the draw of an additional Ace 12D to replace the King of Clubs discard 12A, two additional replacement cards (14D, 18D), and a Win Message 30 disclosing the win of 15 credits for the 3-of-a-Kind (10A, 12D, 16A).

FIG. 4 shows a slot machine monitor screen 2 with five HOLD buttons for card play selection (10B, 12B, 14B, 16B, 18B), five sets of discard selection buttons (10C, 12C, 14C, 16C, 18C), each of said five sets comprising a SAME OR HIGHER button 20, a SAME OR LOWER button 22, a SAME COLOR button 24 and an OPPOSITE COLOR button 26. Also shown is a second separate deal of five face-up cards (10E, 12E, 14E, 16E, 18E). The player's selection to hold the four Clubs (10E, 12E, 14E, 16E) is depicted by the four highlighted HOLD buttons (10B, 12B, 14B, 16B).

FIG. 5 refers to the game elements shown in FIG. 4 with the player selecting to play the 7 of Spades discard 18E as SAME COLOR, depicted by the highlighted button 24A.

FIG. 6 refers to the game elements shown in FIG. 5 with the draw of the 3 of Spades 18F to replace the 7 of Spades discard 18E, and a No Win Message 40 disclosing end of the game.

In a symbol providing game or video poker game, the player makes a wager to play an underlying symbol providing game such as a slot-type game or a draw poker game. An additional or side bet may be required to utilize the discard gameplay option. A predetermined number of cards are dealt face-up to form an initial hand. The player may select to hold none, one, some or all of the dealt cards. The player then may choose none or at least one of the unheld cards (“discards”)—if any discards are available—to receive a narrowed selection of possible replacement cards. The narrowing of the number of possible replacement cards will most likely increase the odds of receiving a replacement card that will ultimately enhance the initial deal. The narrowed replacement card selection may be based on predetermined criteria relative to the discard. For example, the narrowed number of possible replacement cards for the discard may be achieved by selecting (using touch pad technology, touch screen technology, physical machine buttons, or the like) the same-or-higher rank than the discard, the same-or-lower rank, the same suit color as the discard, or the opposite color. Other criteria may include odd ranks, even ranks, suits or a certain predetermined range of cards, and may or may not be specifically relative to the discard This method may be used with various poker game variations such as Jacks or Better, Bonus Poker Games, or Wild Card Games and may be played in a single-line or multiplay game format.

Although specific examples and specific images have been provided in this discussion, these specifics are intended to be only support for the generic concepts of the invention and are not intended to be absolute limits in the scope of the technology discussed.

All patents and applications referenced herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 

1. A method of playing a wagering game in which symbols are provided to a player comprising: a player making a wager on a gaming apparatus; a displayed set of symbols being provided from a complete set of symbols to a player along at least one line of play; the player being provided with an opportunity to accept all symbols in the at least one line or replacing at least one symbol on the line; when the player replaces the at least one symbol, the at least one symbol is removed from the line and one symbol is randomly selected from a set of symbols as a replacement symbol; wherein the one symbol randomly selected as a replacement symbol is selected from a replacement set of symbols that consists of a number of symbols less than the complete set of symbols.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the replacement set of symbols consists of a number of symbols that is less than the complete set of symbols less the displayed set of symbols.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the complete set of symbols comprises a defined number of various symbols and a specific number of each of the various symbols.
 4. The method of claim 2 wherein the player may select criteria by which the replacement set is reduced in number to less than the complete set of symbols.
 5. The method of claim 2 wherein the player may select criteria by which the replacement set is reduced in number to less than the complete set of symbols less the displayed set of symbols.
 6. The method of claim 4 wherein the complete set of symbols comprises a defined number of various symbols and a specific number of each of the various symbols.
 7. The method of claim 5 wherein the complete set of symbols comprises a defined number of various symbols and a specific number of each of the various symbols.
 8. The method of claim 1 practiced on a slot machine having at least three rows of symbols provided.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein the replacement set of symbols consists of a number of symbols that is less than the complete set of symbols less the displayed set of symbols.
 10. The method of claim 2 wherein the complete set of symbols comprises a defined number of various symbols and a specific number of each of the various symbols.
 11. A method of playing a video poker game in which playing card symbols are provided from a complete set of playing cards comprising a complete number of cards in at least one line of play comprising: a player placing a wager on the video poker game; displaying a first displayed set of playing card symbols comprising a displayed number of playing cards to the player along at least one line of play; the player selecting at least one symbol from the displayed set of playing card symbols to be discarded; a criteria for providing replacement playing card symbols being in effect which defines limiting criteria for selection of playing cards so that playing cards available for use as replacement cards are selected from a replacement set comprising a number of cards that is less than the complete number of cards less the displayed number of cards.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein the player may select the criteria for replacing cards.
 13. The method of claim 11 wherein a processor selects the criteria for replacing cards.
 14. The method of claim 11 wherein the criteria comprises at least one criterium selected from the group consisting of the at least one replacement card being: a) a different color than the discarded card; b) a different suit than the discarded card; c) a different rank than the discarded card; d) a rank within a defined range of ranks; e) a rank above a predetermined rank; f) a rank below a predetermined rank; and g) a rank other than one or more specific ranks.
 15. The method of claim 1 wherein payouts for at least one winning set of symbols is lower for that set of symbols when the replacement symbol is available or when a replacement symbol is selected on the game than when the replacement symbol is not available or is not used in the game.
 16. The method of claim 11 wherein payouts for at least one winning set of playing cards is lower for that set of playing cards when the replacement playing card is available or when a replacement playing card is selected on the game than when the replacement playing card is not available or is not used in the game. 